Arsene Wenger hasn’t won the league title in 12 years. (Picture: Getty)

Tony Adams believes Arsene Wenger’s decision to neglect Arsenal’s defensive unit is the reason why the club have suffered a long title drought.

Adams, who won four league titles during his 19-year stint with the Gunners, has taken up a role with Azerbaijani side Gabala as their director of football.

The one-club man captained made well over 500 league appearances for the club after progressing through youth academy, as well as leading the team through the club’s most successful period – under the stewardship of Wenger,

But despite their previously strong relationship, Adams has criticised his former boss for neglected his defenders which has resulted in 12 long seasons without claiming a league title.

‘He has got a great offensive unit, but I think he is neglecting the defensive side and I think that’s where the problem lies,’ he told Inside Futbol:

‘If they strengthen that area I think they could go and win the league, but I think that’s the error of the team.

‘He sticks to his principles and he wants his team to be offensive.

‘When Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole left they were the last of the old guard who understood how to defend and prioritise that department.

Adams believes Wenger neglects his defenders. (Picture: Getty)

‘I think that when they left there was no one else that understood that and the club hasn’t been the same defensively since,’ Adams added.

‘I think if he put the balance right with regard to their defence/offence he would win the league. It certainly seemed in recent years that whoever won the league had been very good defensively.

‘Chelsea had the best defence last year, before that there was Vincent Kompany at Manchester City and before that Manchester United won with Vidic and Ferdinand.

‘I think it’s an important part of the game which is sometimes neglected – well, I know it’s neglected.’